The open-air stage was opened on 10 June 1950, with Zoltán Kodály's play, Székelyfonó. Since then, it has become a classic site of the flourishing cultural scene in Debrecen. In 2025, the venue welcomes it's 75th anniversary with an outstanding celebratory summer.
The renovated and reorganized stage has hosted almost 300 shows in its lifetume, including dramatic plays, classical and pop concerts as well as movie screenings to the delight of visitors looking for a special summer experience.
Despite the huge capacity of 1017 people, tickets always sell out quick - so don't hesitate! Come and be part of a unique open-air experience in the lushest green area of Debrecen. Since reopening, more than 100,000 people have joined us at Great Forest Open-Air stage.
Situated amidst towering pines and massive pedunculate oaks, Debrecen's open-air stage was built in 1950 in one of the most picturesque parts of the Great Forest area. At its innaguration ceremony on 10 June 1950, Zoltán Kodály's musical play Székelyfonó was performed in the presence of the composer, directed by Imre Csenki. The set design, featuring a stylized Székely weaving and a Székely gate, was created by painter József Menyhárt.
Over the decades, the Nagyerdő Open-Air Stage became an integral part of Debrecen's cultural scene, entertaining generations until the early 2000s. However, by the turn of the millennium, the stage had deteriorated to such an extent that it had to be closed. Despite this, many of the city’s residents had vivid memories of the exhilarating performances on the stage and alongside the older generation's nostalgia, the younger generations’ desire for the stage's reopening increasingly came to the forefront.
For this reason, the city council made it a priority to revive the dormant open-air stage. Once funding was secured, it was clear that the HUF 2 billion reconstruction of the park would include the renovation, expansion and accessibility improvements of the former open-air stage building. Finally, in the summer of 2014, at its original location but now renewed to meet modern standards, the Great Forest Open-Air Stage—with 1,017 seats—once again opened its doors as the largest open-air theater in the Northern Great Plain region. Additionally, the open space situated in front of the Stage's main entrance on the shore of Békás Lake, accommodaating 500 people, also provides superb opportunities for events. Thanks to this comprehensive development, the Nagyerdő Open-Air Stage, operated by Csokonai National Theater Debrecen since 2022, has regained its original function: providing high-quality entertainment and now meeting the expectations of the 21st century.
The Great Forest Open-Air stage is accessible and also equipped with restrooms designed for people affected by disabilities.
For mobility-impaired viewers, we strive to provide the most suitable seating for their needs at events held at the Great Forest Open-Air stage, as well as to facilitate ticket purchases.
To discuss your specific needs, please call +36 20 297 0788 or email us at info@csokonaiszinhaz.hu.
We hereby inform audiences that the following rules apply to open-air events hosted by Csokonai National Theater Debrecen (hereinafter referred toas the Theater) at the Great Forest Open-Air
Stage in the event of unfavorable weather conditions:
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Year after year, the majority of audiences attending outdoor events at the open-air stage in Debrecen come prepared for unfavorable weather. The Theater’s intention is to begin and continue scheduled outdoor events even under uncertain weather conditions.
1.2 As the seating at the Great Forest Open-Air Stage has no roofing, we kindly ask audiences to bring warm and waterproof clothing, and when possible, raincoats in case of unfavorable weather.
1.3 Please note that umbrellas cannot be used during events at the Great Forest Open-Air Stage, as they obstruct other audience members’ view of the stage.
2. RULES ON HOSTING OPEN-AIR EVENTS
2.1 The Theater will decide on-site whether a particular event will take place on the day of the event itself.
2.2 The Theater reserves the right to cancel the event in the case of extreme weather conditions and will inform the audience of the cancellation at any time, either prior to the event on the day of the performance or at the venue, immediately before or after the performance begins. In such cases, if a rain date has been announced, the Theater will schedule the performance on said rain date.
2.3 If no rain date has been designated or if unfavorable weather conditions occur on the rain date as well, the Theater reserves the right to cancel the event.
2.4 The Theater reserves the right to cancel performances at any time on the day of the event with appropriate justification due to unforeseen and unavoidable obstacles beyond its control in the case of force majeure (including but not limited to disease, severe weather conditions posing a serious threat to human health, war, rebellion, acts of terrorism, strike, accident, fire, blockade, flood, natural disaster, severe energy supply disruptions, COVID-19 virus infections, or other major infections resulting in a pandemic or public health emergency).
2.5 The Theater shall inform audiences of the cancellation through its communication channels (website: www.csokonaiszinhaz.hu, Facebook page: @csokonaiszinhaz, Instagram page: @csokonai_szinhaz).
2.6 The following rules shall apply in the case of unfavorable weather conditions experienced after the performance has begun:
a) For one-act events with no intermission, if half of the event’s total duration has been completed, the event is considered to have taken place.
b) For two-act events, the event is also considered to have taken place if it is interrupted after the completion of the first part.
2.7 In the event of unfavorable weather conditions or technical difficulties, the Theater shall take the following measures:
a) in the case of one-act events, the Theater is entitled to postpone the start of the event or the continuation of the interrupted first act until 10:00 pm in the case of events in June and July or 9:30 pm in the case of the events in August and September.
b) in the case of two-act events, the Theater is entitled to postpone the start of the event or the continuation of the first half until 10:00 pm in the case of events in June and July or 9:30 pm in the case of the events in August and September.
2.8 Insofar as unfavorable weather interrupts the event before half of it has been completed (in the case of one-act events) or before the end of the first act (in the case of two-act events) and the event is not held, tickets are valid for events with a designated rain date, which is listed on the www.csokonaiszinhaz.hu website. If the lack of a designated rain date, tickets can be refunded or exchanged for another event according to the rules outlined in this policy.
3. TICKET REFUNDS, TICKET EXCHANGE
3.1 Tickets can only be refunded or exchanged in the following cases:
a) If an event is interrupted due to unfavorable weather and the event is not held before half of its total duration in the case of one-act events or before the end of the first act in the case of two-act events, the tickets for the event:
- are valid for events with and for the valid designated rain date, which is listed on the www.csokonaiszinhaz.hu website.
- can be refunded or exchanged for another event in the case of events with no rain date, within 5 business days following the canceled event at the original point of purchase during opening hours (only tickets purchased at the Theater’s ticket offices can be exchanged).
b) In the event of unfavorable weather on events postponed to the rain date, tickets may only be refunded if the event is not held on the designated rain date. In such cases, tickets can be refunded or exchanged for another event within 5 business days following the canceled event at the original point of purchase during opening hours (only tickets purchased at the Theater’s ticket offices can be exchanged).
3.2 Purchased tickets can only be refunded if the event is canceled by the Theater or if the event cannot be held on the scheduled date due to unfavorable weather.
3.3 Ticket offices cannot process late refunds. The on-site ticket office is not obliged to offer refunds. There is no option to refund tickets at the venue on the day of the canceled event.
3.4 Tickets cannot be refunded in the case of an audience member leaving an interrupted event when the event is held later that evening due to improved weather conditions
3.5 We kindly ask audiences to keep their tickets until the end of the event, as in the case of interrupted events, tickets are required for re-entry to the venue on the designated rain date!
RAIN DATE-RELATED INFORMATION
4.1 In case of unfavorable weather conditions, events shall be held on the following dates:
4.2 For cases in which two performances for a single production were scheduled and a joint rain date has been designated:
a) in the event of the cancellation of either performance due to unfavorable weather, tickets are automatically valid for the joint rain date of the performances;
b) if both performances are canceled, tickets for the first performance are automatically valid for the joint rain date, while tickets for the second performance can be refunded or exchanged for another event within 5 business days following the canceled event at the original point of purchase during opening hours (exchanges are only possible for tickets purchased at the Theater’s ticket offices).
4.3 If you have purchased a ticket for any of the above listed-performances and they were canceled, please check the www.csokonaiszinhaz.hu website for details about the rescheduled performance.
The Theater reserves the right to change the program and cast.
We wish all visitors an enjoyable and memorable experience!
The Company of the Csokonai National Theater Debrecen
Accepted payment methods when purchasing tickets:
Cash, Credit/debit cards, OTP SZÉP-card, MBH SZÉP-card, Csokonai giftcard
Please note that seats cannot be booked at our ticket offices!
We kindly ask audiences to keep their tickets until the show is over!
Tickets are available at our ticket offices and online via jegy.csokonaiszinhaz.hu.
Csokonai Theatre ticket office
4024 Debrecen, Kossuth street 10.
Phone: +36 52 / 314 770
E-mail: jegypenztar@csokonaiszinhaz.hu
Opening hours:
From Monday to Friday: 9:00-12:00 and 13:00-19:00.
Ticket office is always open until shows start.
For weekend performances ticket offices open in the hour before the show.
Csokonai Fórum ticket office
4024 Debrecen, Csapó street 30.
Phone: +36 20 / 297 2047
E-mail: jegypenztar@csokonaiszinhaz.hu
Opening hours:
Open on days when a show takes place, in the hour before the performance starts.
Great Forest Open-Air stage ticket office
4032 Debrecen, Nagyerdei park 6.
Phone: +36 20 / 297 2047
E-mail: jegypenztar@csokonaiszinhaz.hu
Opening hours:
Open on days when a show takes place, in the hour before the performance starts.
Gates and buffets open 45 minutes before shows. Our buffets offer a wide selection of snacks and drinks.
The Great Forest Open-Air stage is located in the heart of Debrecen’s largest park and recreational area. Sorrounded by greenery and a small lake, it provides a tranquil environment.
Address: 4032 Debrecen, 6 Nagyerdei park
GPS coordinates: 47°33’16.0″N 21°37’33.8″E
Using tram nuber one, the Nagyerdei körút, Aquaticum, Klinikák and University stops are all within walking distance of the stage. For more details, www.dkv.hu
Parking is possible in the underground garage by Nagyerdei Stadium, on Nagyerdei körút, Pallagi Street or Oláh Gábor Street.
The interactive graphic below shows the view from each sector of the auditorium area.
Pricing varies in the different seating zones.
Ticket prices may vary per show.
Tickets are available at our ticket offices and online via jegy.csokonaiszinhaz.hu
